Summary of Public Briefing and Open House for Go Ape Program Introduction

Park Authority Public Information Officer Judy Pedersen began the
meeting at 7:30 p.m. with an introduction of special guests and a
summary of the agenda. Due to unforeseen interest in this new proposal,
the gathering was moved from the park visitor center to the larger
Nature Center. More than 75 people attended.

The program began with a video presentation and Powerpoint
presentation outlining the program's successful operations at other
sites. Specific information about the Riverbend facility and possible
community concerns were also presented by Dan D'Agostino, one of the
owners of Go Ape.

Serena Wilson, president of the Friends of Riverbend Park (FORB)
provided background on why Go Ape should be supported and noted that
the FORB had decided to endorse the program. She explained that over
the past four years the Park Authority General Fund budget has been cut
by 25%. She explained that as a result of these reductions Riverbend
Park has lost a third of its staff. She mentioned that 390,000 people
come to this park every year. The Friends of Riverbend Park has lobbied
the Board of Supervisors noting that the park needs to be funded. FORB
has started a lot of programs such as astronomy and kayaking. Wilson
noted that the astronomy program drew 700 participants and caused no
traffic or crowd issues. LL Bean has given the park 10 canoes. Wilson
took a look at the ropes course design and no trees will be removed or
damaged. The activity is all in the tree tops. She noted that Go Ape is
willing to work with the park, that the program is environmentally
sensitive and that the revenues will come to the park. Wilson pointed
out that the Fairfax County Park Authority doesn't have a statutory
obligation to notify the public when they start a new program. She
added that if people don't like those rules that apply to public
process they can send a letter to the Board of Supervisors stating that
you don't like the rules. She believes that it's a great educational
idea and the Friends of Riverbend Park approve the course 100%.

Robin Rentsch, speaking as a park user and well-known activist on
behalf of the environment, mentioned it is difficult for natural
resource centers to provide their own funding. Go Ape will provide
funds and people will love it and it will be hidden in the park.
Friends of Riverbend Park have enough money to get three interns to
expand the natural resource park. She asked the public to please
support this and come pull out some invasives, just like you come out
and protest. Riverbend is 97% natural area and only 3% is facilities.

Bill Waugh, president of the local homeowner's association gave a
PowerPoint presentation opposing Go Ape. He thinks Fairfax County has
done a poor job providing Go Ape information and had issues with the
agency's "transparency". He doesn't understand why the
community didn't find out until ten days ago. Go Ape is not equal to
protecting this valued resource, environmental stewardship, proper land
use and management, and inconsistent with the intent use of the park.
The traffic is not manageable, there is additional traffic predicted.
For example on a Sunday, from noon to 4 p.m. there are 300 to 400 cars
on Jeffrey Road. The course isn't consistent with Fairfax County's
Natural Resource Management Plan for Riverbend Park. It violates the
parks primary objectives of no "off trails" activity and
Riverbend's mission statement. Bulldozing, selling shirts, etc. isn't
consistent with the mission goals. Riverbend Park needs to stay a
natural area. Waugh suggested sending Go Ape to Lake Fairfax Park,
where there is already a water facility, carousel and fields.

Comments and questions were then taken from other members of the
public. The first speaker said he appreciates the park as a jewel and
was wondering what the impact would be on the wildlife, adding
shouldn't something be done to determine what happens to the birds
before going through installing a ropes course.

Park Manager Marty Smith stated that there have been two breeding bird
surveys and the impact is negligible.

A gentleman asked how he could obtain information about wildlife and
the traffic impact. He would like to see the source of statistics. He
also wanted to know if comments from the meeting go on public record
and what difference will the community's input make? There were other
questions regarding Supervisor Foust and whether he would be apprised
of the community opposition. It was noted that he had been previously
informed about the program and that he had a representative at the
meeting.

PIO Pedersen responded by saying that the county follows an
information process and there are public records and the Park Authority
will provide the information that is public and that is requested.
Resource Management Division Director Cindy Walsh also mentioned that
if it's a program and service, they don't have to go through public
information input.

A woman asked why admission can't be charged at the Park. Pedersen
explained that the ropes course had been something which was under
discussion informally for more than eight years. As far as charging
admission or a parking fee, she noted that the Park Authority has
passed a fee that could be implemented but at the urging of the Board
of Supervisors had not imposed it. (Sometimes fee collection can cause
traffic backups or parking in neighborhoods adjacent to a park).

Some in attendance wanted to know more about the potential disturbance
of wildlife, staff being cut, controlling traffic, picking up trash?
Pedersen responded by telling the public that staff will address these
issues and we will create a website where the materials we have are
posted.

A gentleman asked if this was the site of an historic farm that was
part of the Underground Railroad. Manager Smith answered that the
course will be in the farm area and that the state biologist and
conservancy had no issues with it. The area to be used is highly
disturbed and includes a house which will be torn down.

Another speaker suggested there should be other ideas to get revenue,
since this project only provides about 15 cents per visitor. It was
mentioned again that this information will be publicly available and
that Supervisor Foust and the Park Authority Board can and will review
all input. Input from the public has been taken into great
consideration.

One gentleman encouraged changes in the public process from commercial
ventures at parks but noted that the program was a positive thing. He
said that Boy scouts can go out in nature instead of playing video
games. Traffic has little impact with few cars going in every 30
minutes. Kayakers add most of the traffic on the road. This is a good,
healthy, safe course and the land isn't near anyone's house. This
course is dedicated to getting exercise and this is a good thing for
kids and consistent with the use of the park.

One woman reported she is a three year resident and the reason she
bought her home was because of the park. She noted that she almost died
because of the trucks driving down the road. She believes the wrong
people are at the meeting. This sounds like an amazing thing to have
and believes that everyone is getting ahead of themselves. She told the
crowd, "shame on us for not being Friends of Riverbend Park".
She added, "This summer has been unusually quiet" and believes
that Fairfax County Park Authority is getting the bad end of the stick.

Another speaker mentioned that there is an amusement area at Great
Falls Park and suggested that Go Ape be considered at that location.
Staff noted that Great Falls Park is a national park and not owned by
the Fairfax County Park Authority.

Manager Smith answered a question about traffic management by saying
that you can book online and have a pass on the windshield to get
immediate access to the park.

A man was interested in seeing the contract. Pedersen responded by
saying that it is a public document and will be made available.

D'Agostino also mentioned that there will be a test run of minimal
park space to nine people. If they cannot accommodate 14 people every
20 minutes, they will not increase the number of people coming in for
the ropes course. Staff will be there and people will be turned around
and rescheduled or refunded.

A speaker mentioned that morning traffic is an issue and that is the
normal run of the mill. Jeffrey Road is very dangerous, people speed
and the community wouldn't appreciate more traffic. She would like to
keep the park a natural preserve.

A woman asked if this was a year-round facility and Go Ape staff
responded by saying that it is a nine month run with no operations
during the winter.

A man found the proposal offensive and in conflict with the Natural
Resource Management Plan. He asked where the initial investment of
$600,000 would be coming from to build the facility. D'Agostino told
him the funding would come from his wife, himself and a loan.

A man asked what success has Go Ape had with Richmond Parks. Dan
responded by saying that it was still in discussion. The gentleman
leading the project resigned his job, so now it's under new
administration. They have put in a proposal and it has been accepted in
Pocahontas Park.

One member of the assembly wanted to know what happens "if this
goes belly up," will there be funding to restore what has been
demolished? "What is the second idea for a commercial venture in
the park," he asked. The speaker is offended by the operation and
wanted to also know if there would be buses going into the park.

Director Walsh mentioned that this program actually helps carry
forward our stewardship mission and also gets new groups into the park.
D'Agostino mentioned that he and the U.K. are a joint franchise.
Pedersen also mentioned that the Fairfax County Park Authority is very
proud that it raised about 60% of its revenues. She explains that the
agency is looking at its core mission and we are moving away from
businesses we should not be into such as the property rental business.
When this opportunity came up, this gave us the chance to provide a new
and interesting service through a public private partnership. One man
continued to insist that a public process was mandated to which
Pedersen explained that master planning is a different planning
process. She added, "We are going to see more public private
partnerships in the future."

One man noted that his greatest concern is the next step of systemic
encroachment which is the reason why he moved to Great Falls. He would
like to preserve and stop Go Ape now.

Another speaker suggested that if the Park Authority wants something
like Go Ape, then they should take it to another park. She also heard
discussion of a signed lease or contract. Operations Manager Todd Brown
mentioned there is a contract signed for seven years.

A woman asked if under the current agreement, are trees going to be
cut down and how quickly the course would be built.

D'Agostino responded by saying that no full grown trees will be
removed. Go Ape doesn't have a green light, but would like to be
operational in spring 2012 and it takes about a month and a half to
build.

Bill Brown of the Audubon Society said he received a call three days
prior to the meeting and it was the first time he heard about this
ropes course. He shares a lot of concerns. Audubon has advocated for
natural areas and sometimes has lost battles. This sounded like an
amusement park. Brown was asked by the Audubon Board of Directors to
speak on their behalf and would like to advocate for wildlife. He has
no proof of anything he has heard and takes Park Manager Smith's
statement at face value. He suspects there will be some damage to some
birds. He has no real knowledge of the impact on reptiles and
amphibians and would not like to see them disturbed. He is sorry that
the Park Authority chose this park and is very skeptical that this
money will remain in Riverbend Park. There has to be a place for a
natural resource park, he reiterated. Riverbend has always been that
place and he would like to keep it that way. He intends to go to Rock
Creek Park and see if there is a disturbance to wildlife or lack
thereof.

A woman mentioned that the public information office has been
facilitating this for eight years. There are bad guys, there those who
as public servants, don't serve the public. She suggested that the Park
Authority has abrogated their responsibilities. They pose a threat due
to lack of outreach and she suggested a more transparent process. She
noted that it "is pretty clear that there are many people that
oppose" this idea and added, "Now that you know they don't want
Go Ape, it should be moved to Lake Fairfax."

D'Agostino mentioned that Go Ape is excited to work with Fairfax
County Park Authority and think that it's fitting to have it in
Riverbend Park.

A woman asked who made the decision of this venue for the public
meeting. Ops Manager Brown responded by saying the visitor center is
much smaller.

A man mentioned that they will fight to maintain Riverbend Park as is.